Lucas_From_Hell

Kind reminder: as GGTharos (and half the forum) already put, AFM Su-27/F-15C are not separate developments taking up resources, but merely a milestone on the road to DCS. You can think of it as an early build - AFM and 3D is ready, work still being done on systems and avionics. howie, I believe he was speaking in a general sense (with you being the community), rather than judging you as a person :)

'Tis the username I put just to create an account at Mission4Today years ago, chosen for pure ridicule really, didn't think I'd be using it to post anywhere, I just wanted the downloads (for old Il-2 1946 pilots, the best around really - 14GB worth of skins :D ...but then I started posting and got acquainted with people so it just... stayed really :music_whistling:

A pretty tragic version of the Friday update saga was what used to happen down at the 1C Forums during Il-2 Cliffs of Dover (which, funnily enough, was marketed in Russia as Il-2: Battle For Britain :D), the forums were a shitestorm more often than not, and the developer's team vanished for a good few months, and whenever they returned they used to be pretty hurt by the attitude of some users. The inconsiderate/disrespectful ones gave a bad image of the community itself, and that ruined it for everyone else. I'm glad these boards have proven more mature and cooled down since then. These updates are absolute gold, and are amazing in terms of transparency. But they're a favour the devs are doing to keep us entertained while we wait, not an obligation :)

The logic behind the donations is correct and everything works fairly, except we're forgetting that ED already has enough money to develop an F/A-18C module. The only so-called "problem" about it is that development of a hi-fi model takes time, and people don't like waiting. But you can give ED all the money in the world, they'd still take around the same awfully long time to develop a a module. Even if they could pay extra-hours for their employees, the day only has 24 hours. Hiring more people wouldn't help much either, as assigning tasks all over the place in the end would make more of a mess than help, and I'm failry sure they're running at a near-optimal number of employees already. While it's great (really, it is) that we're all so excited to get this thing going, just donating a pile of money to them won't do much at all. ED is going fairly well in business. We're not the only ones to fund it, as well. They have contracts with the Russian Air Force, the USAF - that's someone funding a module fully, but the difference is, we're talking about a single costumer with very well-defined needs, not an An-225 full of loonies with all sorts of opinions, aka, us lads and lassies down here. Throwing money, donating or funding, however you call it, won't help much. If you really want to make a difference, think about this: everyone get a fund together, and pick some kids, boys and girls, with a passion for flying and/or who want to join the Air Force or Army/Naval aviation, but don't have enough money to get a computer that can run DCS together, or to get a decent HOTAS, or to buy the modules themselves, or whose parents simply don't want to help (a problem most girls will find more often than boys, under that cheap old excuse that it isn't a "girl thing"). Find some of those kids, get the money you can spare, make a fund and give them whatever you need. Get them a GPU, or give them that old one you have which is still pretty good, hand down your old HOTAS set, and buy them a copy of a DCS aircraft depending on what they intend to fly for a living (attack heli, attack a/c, utility, fighter whenver an ED one or 3rd party comes out...), and give them a printed manual and a book about that aircraft with it too, both to be their bedside read. This way you're funding a pilot for the future, you're funding Eagle Dynamics and showing them you want high-fidelity modules, and you're also funding the future of flight simulators, because odds are this kid will surely buy future ED modules not only for themselves, but for their kids, friends, or another kid who's in the same place they once were. ED has the present under control, we can help with the future though - and it's much better than buying modules for yourself which you never use at all :)

"'xcuse me sir, uh, you speak English? I'm trying to get to this compound you see, let me just get my map..."

We also saw a Ka-50 pit but we ain't getting that :D

Bumping this, is anyone available for translating yet another short e-mail? Help is much needed. Thank you :)

People seem to have forgotten the "good old days" of an update every couple months saying very little and with a screenshot vaguely displaying a feature mentioned - and that's if they mentioned a feature in the first place, instead of just saying "We're working on stuff and things, and fixing some other stuff and things. Can't say much. xoxo ED gurl" Wags was very enthusiastic about getting clearance to update us more often and without having to go through thousands of permissions and checks, and I can't thank him enough for doing so :) And mind you, we're getting pretty big updates - two weeks in and we already know of two upcoming releases and three future DCS modules, just think of it! :D

Well now they're implementing those modules directly into World so you won't have to pay for them - problem solved, buy it only once and it's all yours. I've bought Flanker 2.5, Lock On, Flaming Cliffs and Flaming Cliffs 2 shortly after, but I bought the upgrades because ED made them worth it :) For an analogy of this thread in general, think if USAF asked Fairchild Republic to give them the Precision Engament A-10 upgrade for free because it is unfair that they'd have to pay for a feature which is now a basic modern combat requirement and they've paid for all A-10 upgrades and modifications Fairchild produced - weird isn't it? :P

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think CptSmiley and TeamVCR has released all this flight model knowledge in an open source format for all other third parties :) Those are working on DCS fast mover, our machs and Gs are in good hands :D

...besides AMRAAMs on your tail. People give those away sooooo easily... :music_whistling:

By the way... guys... that suit... it has, like, buttons... maybe we could... you know... I mean, it happened a long time ago in a galaxy far far away, I don't think it's confidential anymore... DCS: Darth Vader Suit? :joystick: :D

Dejjvid, at this moment it isn't a matter of money that's holding the F/A-18C, it's time. People can only do so much, and I'm sure ED's already optimised the employees/project ratio to make sure money spent and time to develop a module are the smallest possible. As said before, at a particular point the more people you add to a team/task, the worse it gets. I'm pretty sure ED is already big (in terms of funds) and experienced enough to optimise development. If they released an F/A-18C at the end of this year, you'd be more than likely to get an aircraft with an alpha 3D cockpit, beta AFM and simplified avionics and systems because that's still in the works... which is exactly what you'll get for the Su-27 and F-15C, only the systems and cockpit are already tested and in use, and the AFM is likely to be more tuned.

For the people who complain about ED "changing focus to simplers stuff", or wasting time, or resources, or developing something you don't want, just a friendly reminder: THE AFM IS ONE OF THE MAJOR STEPS OF MODELLING A DCS MODULE. THEY DID NOT GO OUT OF THEIR WAY TO DO IT, THEY HAD IT READY AND DECIDED TO SELL IT SO THAT EVEN THEIR MOST BASIC STANDARD OF SIMULATION IS MORE REALISTIC. This is a step TOWARDS hi-fidelity simulation, we'll get rid of 2D cockpits and SFM. While avionics are still in the oven, at least. Think of it as a waypoint really. You need to go through 1, 2, 3 and 4 to get to 5. Releasing a product along the way does not (I repeat, does not) mean you're not going to 5, it just means you have completed all secondary objectives in the previous waypoints. This will also save them time later because it means the testers' team, the community itself and the developers can fine-tune the flight model and 3D cockpits, and do any bug-solving earlier on so that when all systems are brought up to DCS standards, those concerns are out of the way. Once again, this is a step UP. Now even casual gamers will have to deal with a more complex (and much more punishing) flight model. It'll be much easier to stall, spin, roll too much, wobble all over the place, damage the A/C if you over-G. Missile evading and knife-fighting will change drastically because now whoever's at the stick will have to not only think of how to plant a warhead on someone else's tail and not get one stuck up theirs, but also how to keep the thing flying. This is already big news, it's the first time ever we'll see a fighter with AFM - we don't really know how it'll behave at all, and how handling will change. We've seen how attack aircraft and helicopters fly, but very maneuverable supersonic fighters? It's new. The sooner we have the option of buying these modules for less without the FC3 pack, for fighter pilots, the better. It's frustrating to have bought it already, that's more than obvious, but at least they're solving the issue.

I don't see what's the big problem here. Wags' update is clear enough. What I fail to understand is the uproar. Bear with me for a moment: DCS modules take an awful amount of time due to avionics and integrating them to the cockpit, that cannot be helped Eagle Dynamics working on upgrading F-15C and Su-27 to DCS level (6DoF 3D cockpit+AFM+avionics), plus starting F/A-18C module from scratch, process takes years and is very challenging and expensive, very hard on the community to wait for so long ED gets 3D cockpit and AFM ready for F-15C and Su-27 Instead of making us live with SFM for an extended time (it's been 18 years of Flanker SFM after all, about damn time :music_whistling:), ED decides to release what they have as separate modules so we can fully enjoy the flight characteristics of the Su-27 and F-15C, so we can at least be a step closer to realism while we wait [as a side-note, not everyone bought Flaming Cliffs 3 or is going to buy it at all - I for one won't buy it at all probably, and I'm glad I can buy those aircraft separately for a cheaper price to enjoy AFM and the new pit] Developing continues strong on creating the F/A-18 module, plus upgrading F-15C and Su-27, and other modules Expected sales increase for new aircraft as they integrate directly into DCS:World and will be cheaper than FC3/average DCS module, plus appeals to wider audience (including aerobatic pilots, who will love this AFM. This is a massive step for VFAT and similar events :)) What's the big problem here? FC3 wasn't just F-15 and Su-27, it also came with the Su-25, MiG-29A/G/S, Su-33 and A-10A. I understand a lot of people bought it for air superiority capability and it may be frustrating. This is a wise move for this very kind of costumer too - now whoever wants F-15/Su-27 will be able to save and just get those two, while pilots after the classic FC planeset will purchase FC3. ED's keeping us up to speed with their advances while also funding their next modules. Yes, it's often more expensive for people who buy every product as it comes out because they have to charge for new products, even if they're a development of the older ones, but that's because each new product brings considerable innovation and hardwork. AFM is a bitch to model, it takes pilots and engineers, advanced calculations, extensive testing - the people involved get paid to do that, and the methods of testing and developing AFMs cost money too. It's only fair that we pay for that capability, it's worth it after all.

4 F-5EM and 4 A-1A (AMX) fly-by at the firing range at Santa Cruz AFB, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. All aircraft are carrying 2 live Mk82 bombs intended for a live fire. Unfortunately they brought them home as the weather conditions wouldn't give the bombs enough time airborne. All the A-1 fleet is being upgraded to A-1M standard by EMBRAER. The first prototype has been delivered, with more aircraft expected until the end of the year. The upgrade includes a Mectron SCP-01 Scipio radar,[/url] EMBRAER data Link-BR2, NavFLIR system, Elbit INS/GPS/databus and glass cockpit, new OBOGS system and HMD DASH IV.

The second one was taken in realtime. The first one wasn't.

I'm willing to guess they'll put out the F-15C and the Su-27SM first, obviously. Then maybe the Fw-190D9 since it's simpler, and to have something to fly against the Mustang. And then Hornet time :D About the Su-27SM: in addition to the R-77, it is capable of carrying TV and laser guided bombs (KAB-500KR and KAB-500L), Kh-29 variants, Kh-31 and the Kh-35. In other words, it's a pretty capable multi-role fighter now (and with a sexy glass cockpit :D)

AFAIK "taxi to runway" gives you that, correct me if I'm wrong :)

For the Hornet crew, a little confirmation that there is a DCS:F/A-18C coming, straight from an official source: As a sidenote, Su-27SM after all! :D And funny that the Hornet, Eagle and Dora were announced before the Su-27, maybe we'll have some neat surprises (worth noting, however, that Wags' update about the Su-27 and F-15 is more recent, but nonetheless, interesting news :)) Here's the link to Groove's full post: http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1703222&postcount=1 I really recommend everyone to go through all threads started by Groove, Wags, EvilBivol-1 and other people involved directly or not with the development (including Test Team members, often). Some threads just need you to read it twice to find what we're looking for.

Brazilian Air Force Mi-35M4 hangar.

Nealius, see my reply above. The option is probably there for Russian pilots, and for situations like high-alert when you're already all strapped in. It has to be there - even though you don't use all the time :)

Russia does it :) This video, on the 3:29 mark, he says "12-1, start-up." (ATC replies) "Copy, starting-up." (to ground crew) "Engines."

Also, it'd be amazing if we could call an emergency and be given priority. It's a combat simulator after all, and more often than not aircraft look like flying swiss cheese, have only one/no working engine, are missing control surfaces, 'trimmed' wings, are low on fuel, multiple failures, or all of the above. Every second counts in those cases, would be nice to have the ATC clear you before anyone else. Also, for future modules (like the F-15), having arresting cables deployed at the end of the runway when you call an emergency :)

How could I forget, the Natter's a beauty - a catastrophic one, that :D Their Ju-52 is in French markings, doesn't apply here. And my bad about the V1 and V2, thought the V1 had them on the 'rudder' but checking photos apparently not indeed :) Here's the E-1 for anyone curious: The part of the tail where the swastika used to be: Aaaaaaaaaand not to derail it, an F-15C screenie from FC2, Spring Blood campaign, coming home after covering a Russian Su-25 deserting: This one is from one of my favourite flights ever. After some training with bombs (FAB-250, -500 and ZAB-500, two of each, dropped on 10 tanks if I recall correctly), doing very neat runs and go-arounds, perfect approaches and the full monty, I decided to run in with the cannon before returning to base. This time, however, I just pulled a split-S and dived into one of the remaining targets. It wasn't the most accurate of runs so to say, and I pulled out way too late, the aircraft was too fast, everything was wrong. To avoid smashing straight into the ground I pulled back hard... a bit too hard. I felt a snap and the plane rolled hard to the left, then kept wobbling, I looked back and saw what was wrong - half of the wing missing. I was still climbing from the pull and after a few seconds the plane still seemed quite stable (considering it was one-winged), and I then decided to see if I could take it home - I was still climbing anyway, so if I needed to eject it wouldn't be much of a deal. Biggest problem was, I was pretty far from any airbase, and I couldn't really make a 180º turn to have anything closer, so off I went. Hydraulics 1 and 2 were bust, aileron response was ridiculous and franky barely there. Airbrakes and flaps weren't working. Landing gear was history too. In short, I was f***ed big time, but hey, still flying right? My HSI is set towards Senaki, and soon enough I start turning towards it (a hellish thing to do, especially while dipping the half-wing). I knew the descent wasn't going to be pretty but it went a bit worse than expected - I gained way too much speed, and even with the throttle cut back, by the time I was near Senaki I was doing a solid 600km/h. Landing would be even more suicidal than staying in the plane already is. Luckily for me, Kutaisi wasn't too far, so I just kept my bearing and the throttle back until the Su-25T slowed down a bit. I couldn't really slow it down too much otherwise it'd just enter a crazy spin and I'd be out of there before you can say "Digital Combat Simulator Combined Arms". I saw Kutaisi ahead and got ready for the worst. The closer I got to the airfield and the slower the Toad got, the harder it was. I still had to slow it down enough for a controlled crashlanding, no matter what. The tarmac drew closer and closer and the HUD read 400 on the top left. This was far, far from good. Not many seconds left. I try to keep the plane on a wings-level flight but it starts becoming impossible. Not much left until impact. The left wing dips more. F***, I think to myself, that's it. That's it. I hold the stick hard to the right and do a little flare (which at 400km/h is really just a few degrees up). Impact. The plane rocks, the pilot's head is all over the cockpit, it was hard. I'm skidding down the runway. I can see a fire forming, the master caution light is going crazy, I use the rudder to try to keep it in line and I don't know if it works or not. When I've slowed down enough I deploy the drogue chute (which as I found out didn't do very much at all to help me, it didn't open properly). The ground slowly stops rushing so fast and a while later it's stopped. The plane's on fire, still. I open the cockpit, but there isn't really a way to crawl out of it then run. I'm not staying for the explosions, though. And with a pull I'm out of there. Phew. Brought it home. Someone bring me a coffee, quick.